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OPINION

A response to Board of Governors Trustee Alan Levine

In a recent My View, Board of Governors member of the , Mr. Alan Levine says he is speaking for himself and not for the BOG in his My View article. But it is very clear that he is speaking for the BOG when he talks about the BOG’s patience running thin and the BOG acting if FAMU’s governing board and president do not act.

Levine also says, “The poor relationship between the governing board and the newly elected president, Dr. Elmira Mangum, has been an embarrassing public display, and for better or worse, we have been witness to failed leadership, no matter who is at fault.”

However, it does matter who is at fault and the BOG and governor must share some of the fault. They gave FAMU its Bof Trustees and that BOT gave us Mangum. If the BOG had given FAMU a better BOT, it would not now need to threaten to act if the BOT and president did not.

Levine says that problems at FAMU – financial, athletic, hazing, etc. – “forced” the BOG to take action. Apparently that “force” precipitated the failed leadership at FAMU. The “force” put on the chairman of FAMU BOT apparently caused him to micromanage the president, resulting in turmoil. So, let us put the fault where it’s deserved.

A cursory comparison of the differences between the BOT that’s given to FSU and that given to FAMU may explain some of Levine’s misgivings about the FAMU leadership. Let me highlight a few differences: Most of the BOT at FSU are either FSU graduates, married to an FSU graduate or a longtime FSU supporter or booster. Several of FSU trustees are lawyers; many have experience running a business.

No FAMU trustee is a lawyer and most are working for someone; recently a trustee who reportedly worked in the governor’s office was appointed to the FAMU BOT. Although it may not be the case, it seems that appointments to the FAMU BOT are more politically motivated for manipulation than for the betterment of FAMU.

I heard no complaints from the BOG when FSU students protested President Thrasher’s appointment to FSU, but Levine now says FAMU students should be studying instead of protesting in support of President Mangum. (Of course, it is always better for students to study rather than protest.)

Levine correctly says FAMU leadership should be focused on performance measures, but that focus should not change FAMU’s mission, which includes educating the underserved in our population. FAMU has always served this population when no one else would.

Notwithstanding opinions to the contrary, FAMU offers the population it serves a hope, dignity and an education that’s not provided at community colleges. Levine’s talk about tax savings ignores the fact that the underserved population also pays taxes.

Finally, with eight openings coming up soon on the FAMU BOT, the governor and BOG have an opportunity to give FAMU a BOT that will not allow personal feelings to override the best interest of the university and one that is as good for FAMU, as FSU‘s BOT is for it.

Willie Roberts is a retired FAMU math professor. Reach him at robertsw1@comcast.net.